Slow Cooker Pulled Pork
Slow Cooker Pulled Pork an easy pulled pork recipe that’s perfectly tender every time. It’s braised in beer and smothered homemade bbq sauce!
You know you got a good workout when you’re abs are so sore that you can still barely lean up to get yourself out of bed 2 days later. That’s what I experienced today after a killer TRX workout Sunday. The instructor really keeps us moving hard core the entire hour, so it’s cardio and strength training in one.
That’s what I call efficient, and it really makes me feel like I earned my supper when dinner rolls around. That’s a good thing, because dishes like this Slow Cooker Pulled Pork is often on the menu on Sundays, and I enjoy it that much more knowing I earned it. 🙂
Slow cooker pulled pork
Yesterday I shared these Homemade Burger Buns with you, so today it was important to follow up with something that you can actually fill them with. This bbq pulled pork is just the thing. I’ve made this pork 3 times over the past few months, and it took everything I had to finally get a photo of it last time.
You can’t beat meals like this pulled pork because it’s so easy, it feeds a crowd, and everyone always loves it. Who doesn’t like super tender pulled pork smothered in a tangy, sweet barbecue sauce?
It’s the best kind of make ahead meal.
How to make this recipe
- Rub the roast generously with a simple spice rub the night before.
- In the morning, pop the pork butt in the slow cooker and pour a beer over it. Cook on low for 8 hours or until it shreds easily with a fork.
- While the pork is cooking, prepare the homemade honey pineapple barbecue sauce. You may also opt to use my homemade bourbon bbq sauce or your favorite store bought brand.
- When the pork is done, toss with the desired amount of barbecue sauce and serve.
Recipe notes
- This slow cooker pulled pork recipe also makes a great topping for spaghetti squash, baked sweet potato, nachos, or even pizza.
- For best results, don’t cook the pork butt at high temperature for a shorter period of time as it may not be as tender. Low and slow is the way to go.
- The beer may be substituted with water, pineapple juice or the liquid of your choice.
- Barbecue sauce will keep in the fridge tightly sealed for up to 2 weeks.
Slow Cooker Pulled Pork
Ingredients
For the pork:
- 4 lb. pork shoulder cut into 4 large pieces
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1 onion chopped
- 4 cloves garlic smashed and peeled
- 12 ounces beer use your favorite, or substitute with stock, pineapple juice, apple cider or water
Equipment
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine the salt, pepper, smoked paprika and cumin and sprinkle evenly over the pieces of pork.
- Place the diced onion and garlic in the bottom of the slow cooker, then place the pieces of pork over the top.
- Pour the beer over the pork and cook on low for 8-10 hours or high for about 6 hours or until tender enough to shred easily.
- Remove the pork from the slow cooker and place in a large bowl. Shred with two forks and add salt and pepper, to taste. Add some of the liquid from the slow cooker for added moisture as necessary and enjoy!
Notes
- This slow cooker pulled pork recipe also makes a great topping for baked sweet potato, nachos, or even pizza, or toss with bbq sauce and serve in sandwiches.
- Pork will keep for up to 5 days in the refrigerator, so it's great for meal prep!
Nutrition
Nutrition is estimated using a food database and is only intended to be used as a guideline for informational purposes.
34 Comments on “Slow Cooker Pulled Pork”
This looks amazing, Marcie, love the sauce. This is sure to please an entire crowd.
Thank you, Matt! 🙂
I had to post the buns and pork “de-constructed” — I was lucky to get photos that way. haha This way you can use your imagination how you want to serve it. 🙂 Thanks, Mary Frances, and have a great day!
Great minds think alight! Love pulled pork recipes, so I definitely need to try out your honey pineapple version! Sounds and looks delicious! 🙂
Great minds DO think alike! Heading over to see yours, Jessica! 🙂
I just made slow cook pulled pork this weekend. It was a winner and I was a popular person. What a great way to barbecue the easy way—-well at least for me since I don’t have a barbecue this season. I am totally open to this new recipe!
It made me popular too, Carol, and it truly is the easy way to barbecue slow cooker style. Have a great evening! 🙂
Pulled pork is one of those things that is forever on my food bucket list but I somehow never get around to giving it a go. Got to change that! Especially love the idea of throwing it all in the slow cooker and walking away all day!
This recipe sounds and looks absolutely delicious and I’m definitely pinning it for later!
I didn’t get around to trying out pulled pork until the past few years and I was instantly hooked. It’s going to be my saving grace this summer when I’m out all day with the kids. Thank you for the pin, Helen, and have a great evening! 🙂
The flavor in this dish is just amazing!
Thank you, Jocelyn! It definitely perked up the old taste buds. 🙂
Man, that workout sounds intense, but what a great reward after! I always love a good pulled pork shoulder recipe, and as soon as I read the title of this one, my mouth was watering. I love that it includes pineapple and beer! I think I’d try this over rice with some black beans. Mmm!
The workout was intense, and I’m starting to think I pulled something in my abdomen! Is that even possible? 🙂 Regardless, thank you for stopping by, Lina, and I love your idea about black beans and rice with the pork. I’m going to have to try that! 🙂
I never used to eat pork much either, but when I do, it’s this kind. Best ever! 🙂
That Honey Pineapple Barbecue Sauce sounds amazing Marcie. Pinning!
And thanks for adding me to your new Pinterest Group Board! 🙂
I’ve really been into pineapple lately and it sure tasted good here! Glad to have you as a contributor to the group board!
I have a TRX and those ab exercises are killer! My stomach hurts for days. I’ve been some some harder workouts lately and spent the last 3 days hardly able to move my arms and sit up. I’m grunting and groaning non-stop. Haha Thankfully, that muscle confusion doesn’t last too long.
This pork looks delicious! I love how easy it is with using the crock pot. Pinning!
You know my pain then, Cindy! Actually, I’m starting to think I pulled a muscle cuz it’s never been this bad. It’s so much fun getting older.
I am so hungry right now Marcie and this just sounds AMAZING. Need to add this to our menu next week!
Thank you, Trish! I definitely need more easy meals like this that everybody loves. 🙂
This is the perfect reward after an intense workout – it looks amazing! I love the sound of the honey pineapple sauce and that this is all made in the slow cooker. I can just imagine how incredible this would taste sandwiched in between your honey whole wheat buns – mmmm!
It is a great reward! I was extra excited to eat the pulled pork with the homemade buns, too. 🙂 Thanks, Kelly, and have a great day!
The flavors in your homemade barbecue sauce sound wonderful. Almost like there’s a bit of a tropical twist to this recipe! And wow — served on top of your homemade whole wheat buns must make these extra special!
I’ve been steering toward the tropical side of cooking lately — a sure sign I need a vacation! haha Thanks, Jamie, and have a great night! 🙂
I love anything pulled pork, but what I really want to try is the honey pineapple barbecue sauce. Sounds amazing! And your photos are beautiful! I have the same trouble with main dishes 🙂
I hope one day photographing main dishes gets easier — it’s a tricky business right now! Thank you, Sherri, and I hope you get to try the bbq sauce soon! 🙂
Totally in love with this sauce… I’d cook with it.. but also eat it up with a spoon! YUM!
I ate plenty of spoonfuls to “taste test”. I was one happy tester! 🙂
Looks amazing Marcie! And, I think putting it over sweet potatoes is an excellent idea – I would’ve never thought of that, but now you know what I’m craving!
Thanks, Kristi! I’m kind of craving that too, now that you mention it! Time to get some dinner. haha
Thank you, Juliana! I hope you’re doing well, and have a wonderful weekend! 🙂
Wish I could try that pizza — it sounds incredible! Thanks, Jessica! 🙂
Wow, that looks amazing Marcie!! I have yet to make pulled pork, or to pull the slow cooker out. I think it is about time that I do both! 😉
I hope you do try this, Lisa! Super easy and the leftovers are sure nice, too.:) Have a great weekend!